Bonita (Bonnie) Gardner Hopkins departed this life on December 7, following a brief illness and after a lifetime of accomplishment and service. Her funeral was held Tuesday, Dec 11 at 11:00 a.m. in the cascade Stake Center, 481 East Center in Orem. Viewings were from 7:00-8:30 p.m.on Monday night at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State in Orem and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. before the funeral in the Stake Center.
Born December 21, 1916 in Afton, WY, she was the youngest of 12 children born to Brigham Ozro and Emma Gardner. She received her education from Star Valley High School and the University of Wyoming, where she received her B.Ed. degree. Later, she served as executive secretary to the Dean of Education. Following her graduation, she taught high school in Worland and Afton, WY.
She married John A. Hopkin in the MEsa, AZ temple June 11, 1943. To them were born one daughter, Tana, and four sons, Arden, Mark, Kerry and Jeff. Her husband's military service, education, and career took her to many places throughout the world, including, Laramie, WY; Palo Alto, CA; Urbana, IL; and College Station, TX whe she formed many life-long friendships. Upon her husband's retirement, they served in the Dallas, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Mt. Timpanogos temples of her church.
An accomplished musician, Bonnie sang for a time in the Tabernacle Choir and served frequently as chorister, choir director, organist, stake music leader, and teacher in the various places where she lived. In recent years, she played the organ at the Mt. Timpanogos temple. She taught a class at the Church Music Workshop on the BYU campus. Family and friends fondly remember her sweet, soaring soprano voice. Her love of music has influenced her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
An active genealogical worker and gifted writer, she published her father's history, Judge Us, Oh Lord, a book of her own poetry, Spanning the Years in Verse, and at the time of her passing, she had just completed her autobiography.
She is survived by her husband, John, and her sons Arden, Kerry, and Jeff, a son-in-law, John Dow, 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, as well as her brother Lloyd Gardner of Midvale, UT and her sister, Laura Draney of Afton, WY. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Tana, and son, Mark.
Though she is sorely missed by those who love her, they unite in the faith that she will be reunited with tehm eternally through the grace of Christ and the efficacy of eternal covenants.